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In the earlier 20th century, Lancaster County Amish attended public schools. My grandmother was one such teacher, with 50 students from 1st-8th grade. Her students, mostly Amish, held a 50th anniversary party for her, and we met many of these students. As matters of mandatory pledge of allegiance, and prayer in school became contentious, separate Amish schools were formed.

Teaching kids to only the 8th grade leaves them (by the standards of most of the rest of the world) half educated. Where does it require this in your ‘handbook’?

Check the Internet (shock, horror) and you will find that most of the rest of this planet (China, CIS, India, Europe, South East Asia, Australasia, South America and(even)the non-Amish USA) are all doing their utmost to ensure that the next generation is properly equiped for the 21st century.

You are fully entitled to live in the 17th century (if that’s what you want). Not so sure that it’s a good thing to impose on your kids, though.

Having lived around many Amish who left school at age 15, I can assure you that their education does not stop. They begin full-time on-the-job training in family businesses and manufacturing in this area of northern Indiana. Some girls will take accounting or typing classes to prepare for office employment or business jobs. Just like the public schools offer skills training, the Amish kids now take on skills training with real-world experience.

And as to book learning, many Amish friends I have continue to read (if they enjoy it), with the book in one hand and a dictionary in the other. They are not afraid to learn or just enjoy a good book. Most know more than people around here who never open a book again after junior high.

Dear Michael, Thankfully, people are allowed to continue learning by reading, by example, by seeing, by doing, by “want-to”, by asking, by thinking, and by making mistakes, even after a formal education has stopped. “Learn something new everyday!” It may be more important to an Amish person to seek the wisdom of God and to have a pure mind, than to know all the theories the world has to offer.